“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
John 13:34–35 NIV
“Let go of that which does not serve you” is a popular mantra used in yoga and meditation. It can help you identify anxious behaviors, but many times it’s used as permission to write off difficult people in your life. That mantra doesn’t fit with Jesus’ command to His followers—aside from toxic or abusive relationships, which must be considered prayerfully and with godly counsel.
Jesus does not say, “Love the Christians who make you feel your best”; you are to love all your brothers and sisters in the way He already loves you. Present and strong before you ever loved Him back (see Romans 5:8), His love is steadfast, unchanging, persevering, nurturing, encouraging, and forgiving, even in your worst moments.
Jesus knows the difficult people in your life, your church. And because He loves them and you, He will help you live out His love toward them. Dwell on His Word and His abundant mercy; as you witness His steadfast love and seek to obey His commands, He will grow your heart’s capacity beyond what you thought possible, His love through you encircling those who before felt beyond your reach.
Holy Savior, I trust Your love’s perfect power to change and strengthen me!
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Today’s reading was adapted from Daily Wisdom for Women: 2018 Devotional Collection with permission from Barbour Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved. Reading was written by Karin Dahl Silver.